The Tampa Bay Rays lost again tonight to the New York Yankees dropping them seven games behind the Bronx Bombers in the loss column. The Rays have now lost four of their five and if this keeps up, the Rays will almost certainly become sellers at this year's trade deadline.
If this is the case, let's take a look at the players they could potentially move...
B.J. Upton, CF: Probably the most coveted Ray because he plays a premium position and the potential is there to be a superstar. Upton is hitting .237/.319/.411 with 15 HR's and 22 SB's. His 1.7 WAR is worse than Peter Bourjos', Melky Cabrera's, and Michael Brantley's.
James Shields, RHP: Our own Satchel Price wondered why Shields was available earlier today and if he indeed does become available, then the Rays could fetch a nice return. Shields currently has a 2.60 ERA and is striking out a career high 8.8 batters per nine innings. And oh yeah, he leads the American League in complete games and shutouts.
Johnny Damon, OF/DH: Damon is well past his prime, but he could still bring some value to a team looking for a fourth outfielder/DH type. Damon is hitting .273/.320/.415 with nine HR's and eight SB's in 380 PA's.
Casey Kotchman, 1B: The poor man's Mark Grace is having a tremendous year in Tampa. Kotchman is hitting a ridiculous .331 and has a .370 wOBA in 294 PA's for the Rays in 2011. He's been aided by an unsustainable .362 BABIP, but give credit where credit is due. Kotchman is hitting the snot out of the baseball.
Kyle Farnsworth, RHP: I would rather eat the new pulled pork sandwich from Subway than put Farnsworth in a game in a big spot, but he's pitching pretty darn well right now for the Rays. He has a 1.86 ERA and a respectable 53% Groundball Percentage in 38.2 IP. On a one-year contract, the Rays don't have much use for Farnsworth if they are out of it.